HERE’S an idea. Instead of grabbing the spray can and exterminating creepy-crawlies, grab your camera and take pictures of them.

Getting right up close to spiders and other critters might not appeal to everyone, but Perth animal photographer Alex Cearns says she got a thrill from it when she was invited by wildlife group AnimalArk to show some of their insects in a different light.

The owner of Houndstooth Studio in North Perth, she hopes her pictures, presenting their subjects “in a cute and comical way”, will help people overcome their fear of insects and bugs. “By presenting them in a cute and comical way, hopefully people will realise they’re nothing to be feared,” she said.

AnimalArk director David Manning said the group would use the pictures on visits to schools and minesites to teach “safe and respectful behaviour” around insects.

Ms Cearns admits to being afraid of spiders, but said that won’t stop her from photographing AnimalArk’s tarantulas.

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